812. 

WG6I 


THE  BALLAD  OF 
PRUDENCE  DEAN 


1104 


Price,  1 S Cents 


THE  BALLAD  OF 
PRUDENCE  DEAN 


A PANTOMIME  FOR  CHILDREN  IN  FIVE 
SCENES 


BY 

E.  M.  WILLARD 


4 


CHICAGO 

T.  S.  DENISON,  Publisher 

163  Randolph  Street 


THE  BALLAD  OF  PRUDENCE  DEAN. 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS. 


Male. 


Female. 


Father. 

Allan  Hardin. 
Simon  Stone. 
Two  Friends. 


Mother. 

Prudence  Dean. 
Two  Friends. 
Indian  Squaw. 


Four  Indians, 


Someone  behind  the  scenes  sings  the  story  to  the  tunes  indi 
cated,  while  the  children  act  it  in  pantomime. 

Costumes  in  Puritan  style  for  all  except  Indians. 


Time  of  Playing — About  thirty  minutes. 


COPYRIGHT,  I904,  BY  T.  S.  DENISON. 


. 


/'v 


THE  BALLAD  OF  PRUDENCE  DEAN. 


SCENE  I. 

Scene. — Interior  of  Puritan  home.  Mother  knits , Prudence  spins , 
Father  sits  opposite. 

Music — “A  Life  on  the  Ocean  Wave.” 

On  the  bleak  New  England  shore 
Lived  a Puritan  maid  so  fair. 

She  was  joy  to  her  parents’  heart; 

Their  delight,  as  well  as  care. 

But  not  to  them  alone 
Was  she  a joy  and  pride, 

For  young  Allan  Hardin  bold  (Allan  enters , bows  to  parents , then 
to  Prudence.) 

Would  win  her  for  his  bride. 

So  a-courting  he  did  come. 

And  the  maiden  curtseyed  low.  (Prudence  curtseys.) 

I But  her  father  darkly  frowned  (Father  scowls.) 

And  ordered  him  to  go.  (Father  points  to  door.) 

He  plead  in  vain,  (Allan  bozos  to  both}  gestures.) 

The  father  yielded  not.  (Father  shakes  head  sternly.) 

He  plead  in  vain,  (Father  points  to  door.) 

‘ The  father  yielded  not.  ( Repeat  above.) 

Young  Allan  plead  his  suit  (Allan  steps  forward,  gestures.) 
With  earnest  words  and  true.  (Allan  puts  hand  on  heart,  bows.) 
-Sweet  Prudence  begged  full  sore,  (Prudence  clasps  hands.) 

But  the  father  angry  grew.  (Father  turns  away  from  her.) 

“Now,  get  ye  hence,”  he  cried,  (Father  waves  hands  away  from 
him.) 

“And  haste  ye  from  my  door!  ( Points  to  door.) 

No  penniless  man  shall  win  ( Points  to  Prudence,  shakes  head.) 
t$My  child.  Come  here  no  more.”  ( Motions  Allan  away.) 

1 • 1 3 


U.  Or  ILL  Li&  - 


4 


THE  BALLAD  OF  PRUDENCE  DEAN. 


“There  is  one  I welcome  here,  (Father  points  far  off.) 

Who  has  gold  and  lands  to  spare.  (Father  spreads  his  hands.) 
His  wife  will  happy  be,  . (Allan  folds  arms , stands  proudly.) 

He  shall  have  my  daughter  fair.”  (Father  points  to  Prudence.) 
Young  Allan  went,  (Allan  goes  slowly  out,  turning  at  door  to 
look  at  Prudence.) 

With  proud  and  sturdy  tread, 

And  Prudence  wept  (Prudence  weeps.) 

With  sadly  drooping  head. 

Then  came  the  man  of  gold,  (Simon  Stone  enters.) 

With  cane,  and  wig,  and  smile,  ( Smiles , hows  all  around.) 

And  favor  sought  from  her  ( Bows  elaborately  to  Prudence.) 
Whose  heart  was  sad  the  while. 

She  gave  no  word  of  cheer,  (Prudence  turns  her  back  on  Simon.) 
But  frowned  and  often  sighed.  (Prudence  frowns,  sighs,  looks 
dozvn.) 

Her  father  stormed  in  wrath,  (Father  shakes  fist  at  Prudence.) 
And  raged  in  his  angry  pride.  ( Stamps  foot  and  walks  up  and 
down.) 

“I’ll  none  of  this  nonsense  now.  {Goes  to  Prudence.) 

You  shall  marry  the  one  I say!  ( Shakes  finger  at  her,  turns  her 
around.) 

The  wedding  shall  be  soon.  ( Raises  both  hands  high.) 

And  I shall  name  the  day.  ( Points  to  himself.) 

So  cease  your  tears  ( Shakes  finger  at  her.) 

And  quench  your  stubborn  pride. 

Old  Simon  Stone  ( Leads  her  to  Simon  Stone.) 

Shall  have  you  for  his  bride.” 

CURTAIN. 


SCENE  II. 

Scene.  Same  as  Scene  I. 

Prudence  alone,  spinning.  Light  slowly  grows  less,  till  at  end  of 
first  stanza  stage  is  quite  shadowy. 

Music — “There’s  Music  in  the  air.” 

Sweet  Prudence  grived  full  sore,  (Prudence  turns  wheel  slowly.) 
Vanity  did  she  try  to  sing 

As  at  her  work  she  kept,  ( Stops  turning , looks  far  away.) 

While  sorrow  did  her  heartstrings  wring.  ( Leans  her  head  on 
hand.) 


THE  BALLAD  OF  PRUDENCE  DEAN. 


5 


Then,  when  gone  the  golden  sun, 

And  the  tasks  of  day  were  done, 

Sadly  grieved  the  maiden  fair  ( Puts  face  in  hands.) 

For  her  lover  in  despair.  (Indian  faces  appear  at  door.) 

Then  in  silence  stole  a band  (Indians  enter  stealthily  behind  her.) 
Of  savages  upon  the  scene.  ( Steal  toward  her.) 

They  seized  upon  her  as  she  wept,  ( One  throws  small  blanket  over 
her  head.  Others  seize  her  by  arms.) 

And  bore  away  sweet  Prudence  Dean.  ( Hurry  her  away.  All  in 
silence.) 

Silent  came  they  on  the  scene ; 

Silent  seized  sweet  Prudence  Dean; 

Silent  went  as  they  had  come, 

And  left  a lonely  home. 

CURTAIN. 


SCENE  III. 

Scene. — Glade  on  edge  of  forest.  Woodland  backing.  If  no  scenery 
set  bare  stage. 

Music — “A  Life  on  the  Ocean  Wave.” 

Loud  was  the  parents’  grief,  (Parents  enter,  searching.) 

Great  their  distress  and  wild,  ( They  weep  and  wring  hands.) 
When  she  they  loved  was  gone,  (Friends  search.) 

And  lost  was  their  darling  child.  ( Search  continued.) 

Not  a guide  to  aid  their  search, 

Not  a trace  then  could  they  find. 

Till  an  arrow  told  the  tale,  (Allan  -finds  arrow,  holds  it  up.) 

And  a feather  left  behind.  (Father  finds  quill,  holds  it  up.) 

Then  wild  was  their  despair,  ( All  look  in  despair  at  each  other.) 

For  they  knew  that  the  redskins  wild 

Sweet  Prudence  captive  held — (Mother  faints.)' 

Had  stolen  away  their  child.  (Father  clasps  hands  to  heaven.) 
Her  cruel  fate, 

It  wrung  their  heartstrings  sore ; 

And  much  they  feared 
They’d  see  her  nevermore. 

Then  spoke  old  Simon  Stone:  (Simon  steps  forward,  gestures.) 

“I’ve  gold  and  many  men,  ( Spreads  hands,  points  far  off.) 

And  they  shall  find  your  child, 

And  bring  her  back  again.  ( Extends  hands  to  them.) 


6 


THE  BALLAD  OF  PRUDENCE  DEAN. 


Now  have  no  fear,”  said  he.  ( Turns  toward  Friends.) 

‘‘There's  naught  gold  will  not  buy.  ( Motions  them  to  go  and 
search.) 

I’ll  send  over  all  the  land,  ( Motions  far  off.) 

So  dry  your  tearful  eye.” 

But  Allan  Hardin's  heart  (Allan  stands  looking  at  arrow.) 

Was  sore  and  dark  with  fear. 

He  hastened  from  the  door  ( Goes  slowly  to  door,  hurries  out.) 
To  seek  her  far  and  near. 

No  word  he  spoke. 

But  in  his  flashing  eye 
Was  read  his  heart. 

He‘d  find  his  love — or  die ! 

CURTAIN. 


SCENE  IV. 

Scene. — Same  as  Act  III,  "with  front  scene  or  an  inner  curtain  down. 
Stage  dark. 

■+ 

Music — “There’s  Music  in  the  Air.” 

A night — a weary  day — (Allan  enters  before  the  front  scene  or  \ 
inner  curtain,  gun  and  knife  in  hand.  He  goes  slowly  here  I 
and  there,  looking  on  ground  as  if  following  a trail.) 

Then  a darksome  night  again, 

Brave  Allan  followed  fast. 

Full  of  courage,  hope  and  pain. 

Naught  for  guide  but  midnight  star 
Had  brave  Allan,  following  far; 

Naught  of  wealth,  save  heart  of  gold, 

Had  Allan  Hardin  bold. 

Far,  far  away  from  home.  ( Front  scene  opens  or  inner  curtain 
rises,  lights  turned  up,  Allan  hides  at  one  side.) 

At  last  he  found  his  lady  fair — (Prudence  tied  to  tree,  Indians 
around  her.) 

A captive  ’mong  the  redskins  fierce.  ( They  give  her  in  charge  of  a 
Squaw.) 

Safe,  but  drooping  in  despair.  ( Prepare  to  go  azvay.) 

When  the  warriors  left  her  bound,  (Indians  go.) 

While  for  other  foes  they  start, 


THE  BALLAD  OF  PRUDENCE  DEAN, 


7 


He  sprang  and  cut  her  cruel  bonds  (Allan  springs  in}  catches  up 
blanket , throws  it  over  Squaw,  cuts  bonds  of  Prudence,  hur- 
ries her  away.) 

And  clasped  her  to  his  heart. 

CURTAIN. 


SCENE  V. 

Scene. — Interior  of  cottage.  Same  as  Acts  I and  II. 

Music — “A  Life  on  the  Ocean  Wave.” 

By  the  hearthstone  cold  and  drear,  (Parents  sit  alone  and  sad.) 
Sat  the  parents,  sad  and  lone. 

Life  empty  seemed,  and  cold. 

Since  their  dear  child  was  gone. 

Then  glad  the  sounds  and  gay  ( Laughter  and  cheers  heard  in  dis- 
tance.) 

That  fell  upon  the  ear, 

To  tell  them  grief  was  past, 

And  happiness  was  near. 

Oh,  joy;  oh,  happy  day!  (Prudence  and  Allan  rush  in.) 

They  clasp  her  in  their  arms ! ( Parents  clasp  her  in  their  arms , 

grasp  Allan's  hands.) 

All  danger’s  Qver  now, 

And  Prudence  is  safe  from  harms.  (Friends  gather  'round,  greet 
Prudence,  Allan  and  each  other.) 

All  fear  is  gone, 

And  danger  all  is  past. 

Oh,  happy  day ! # 

She’s  safe  at  home  at  last. 

No  need  had  Allan  brave 
To  plead  for  Prudence  then. 

Her  father  gave  with  joy  (Father  takes  Prudence  by  hand.) 

The  child  who  lost  had  been.  (Mother  holds  her  other  hand.) 
“Bring  all  our  friends,”  quoth  he.  (Father  motions  all  to  come.) 
“Let  us  be  glad  and  gay, 

And  celebrate  with  joy  ( Points  to  Prudence  and  Allan.) 

This  bright  thanksgiving  day.  ( Raises  hand  and  looks  up.) 


8 


THE  BALLAD  OF  PRUDENCE  DEAN. 


aFor  grief  hath  taught  me  this,  ( Gestures  with  free  hand.) 

That  courage  and  true  worth 
Are  better  than  lands  and  gold, 

Or  wealth  of  all  the  earth. 

So,  daughter  Prudence,  now  (For  these  four  lines  repeat  music  of 
previous  four  lines.) 

He’s  yours — this  man  so  true. 

And,  Allan  Hardin,  here  (Father  leads  Prudence  to  Allan  and 
joins  their  hands.) 

I give  my  child  to  you.” 

Then  everyone  (Tableau.) 

Was  happy,  glad  and  gay. 

Forgot  was  grief 
On  that  thanksgiving  day. 

CURTAIN. 


DENISON’S  ACTING  PLAYS. 

Price  15  Cents  Each,  Postpaid,  Unless  Different  Price  is  Given. 


FARCES  AND  SKETCHES. 


M.  F. 

Assessor,  sketch,  10  min 3 2 

April  Fools,  30  min 3 0 

Bad  Job,  30  min 3 2 

Bardell  vs.  Pickwick,  25  min...  6 2 

Beautiful  Forever,  30  min 2 2 

Betsy  Baker,  45  min 2 2 

Blind  Margaret,  musical,  30  m.  3 3 
Borrowed  Luncheon,  20  min. ..  0 5 

Borrowing  Trouble,  25  min — 3 5 

Box  and  Cox,  35  min 2 1 

Breezy  Call,  25  min. 2 1 

Bumble’s  Courtship,  18  min. . . 1 1 

Cabman  No.  93,  40  min 2 2 

Christmas  Ship,  musical,  20  m.  4 3 

Cobbler,  10  min — 1 0 

Convention  of  Papas,  25  min. . . 7 0 

Country  Justice,  15  min 8 0 

Cow  That  Kicked  Chicago,  20 

min 3 2- 

Cut  Off  with  a Shilling,  25  min.  2 1 

Deception,  30  min 3 2 

Desperate  Situation,  25  min — 2 3 
Documentary  Evidence,  25  min.  1 1 

Dude  in  a Cyclone,  20  min 5 3 

Fair  Encounter,  sketch,  20  min.  0 2 

Family  Strike,  20  min 3 3 

First-Class  Hotel,  20  min 4 0 

Freezing  a Mother-in-Law,  45 

min 3 2 

Great  Medical  Dispensary,  30 

min 6 0 

Hans  Von  Smash,  30  min. . . — 4 3 

Hard  Cider,  temperance,  15  m..  4 2 

Happy  Pair,  25  min 1 1 

Homoeopathy,  Irish,  30  min 5 3 

I’ll  Stay  Awhile,  20  min 4 0 

I’m  Not  Mesilf  at  All,  25  min..  3 2 
Initiating  a Granger,  25  min.. . 8 0 
In.  the  Wrong  House,  20  min. . . 4 2 

Irish  Linen  Peddler,  40  min.  . 3 3 

Is  the  Editor  in?  20  min 4 2 

John  Smith,  30  min 5 3 

Just  My  Luck,  20  min 4 3 

Kansas  Immigrants,  20  min — 5 1 

Kiss  in  the  Dark,  30  min 2 3 

Larkin’s  Love  Letters,  50  min..  3 2 
Lend  Me  Five  Shillings,  40  min.  5 2 

Limerick  Boy,  30  min 5 2 

Little  Black  Devil,  10  min 2 1 

Love  and  Rain,  sketch,  20  min.  1 1 

Lucky  Sixpence,  30  min 4 2 

Lucy’s  Old  Man,  sketch,  15  m.  2 3 
Madame  Princeton’s  Temple  of 

Beauty,  20  min 0 6 

Mike  Donovan,  15  min 1 3 

Misses  Beers,  25  min 3 3 

Mistake  in  Identity,  15  min...  0 2 

Model  of  a Wife,  25  min 3 2 

Mrs.  Gamp’s  Tea,  sketch,  15  m.  0 2 

My  Jeremiah,  20  min 3 2 

My  Lord  in  Livery,  45  min 4 3 

My  Neighbor’s  Wife,  45  min 3 3 


M.  F. 


My  Turn  Next,  50  min 4 3 

Narrow  Escape,  sketch,  15  m...  0 2 

Not  at  Home,  15  min 2 0 

Obstinate  Family,  40  min 3 3 

On  Guard,  25  min 4 2 

Only  Cold  Tea,  20  min 3 3 

Outwitting  the  Colonel,  25  m. . 3 2 

Patsy  O’Wang,  35  min 4 3 

Pat  the  Apothecary,  35  min 6 2 

Persecuted  Dutchman,  35  min.  6 3 

Pets  of  Society,  30  min — 0 7 

Played  and  Lost,  sketch,  15  m.  3 2 

Pull-Back,  20  min 0 6 

Quiet  Family,  45  min 4 4 

Realm  of  Time,  musical,  30  min.  8 15 

Regular  Fix,  50  min 6 4 

Rejected,  40  min 5 3 

Rough  Diamond,  40  min 4 3 

Row  in  Kitchen  and  Politician’s 

Breakfast,  2 monologues.. . 1 1 

Silent  Woman,  25  min 2 1 

Slasher  and  Crasher,  1 hr.  15  m.  5 2 

Taming  a 'liger,  20  min 3 0 

That  Rascal  Pat,  35  min 3 2 

To  Oblige  Benson,  45  min 3 2 

Too  Much  for  One  Head,  25  m. . 2 4 
Too  Much  of  a Good  Thing,  50 

min 3 6 

Treasure  from  Egypt,  45  min..  4 1 

Trick  Dollar,  30  min 4 3 

Turn  Him  Out,  50  min 3 3 

Twenty  Minutes  Under  Um- 
brella, sketch,  20  min 1 1 

Two  Bonnycastles,  45  min 3 3 

Two  Gay  Deceivers,  25  min 3 0 

Two  Gents  in  a Fix,  20  min 2 0 

Two  Ghosts  in  White,  25  min. . 0 8 

Two  of  a Kind,  40  min  2 3 

Two  Puddifoots,  40  min 3 3 

Uncle  Dick’s  Mistake,  20  min..  3 2 
Very  Pleasant  Evening,  30  min  3 0 
Wanted : a Correspondent,  1 hr.  4 4 

Wanted;  a Hero,  20  min 11 

Which  Will  He  Marry?  30  min.  2 8 
White  Caps  (The), musical, 30m.  0 8 

Who  is  Who,  40  min 3 2 

Who  Told  the  Lie?  30  min,....  5 3 

Wide  Enough  for  Two,  50  min.  5 2 
Woman  Hater  (The),  30  min...  2 1 

Wonderful  Letter,  25  min 4 3 

Wooing  Under  Difficulties,  35 

min 4 3 

Yankee  Peddler,  1 hr 7 3 


The  publisher  believes  that  he  can 
say  truthfully  that  Denison’s  list  of 
plays  is  on  the  whole  the  best  se- 
lected and  most  successful  in  the 
market.  New  Plays  will  be  added 
from  time  to  time. 

For  Ethiopian  Plays  see  Catalogue 


T.  S.  DENISON,  Publisher,  163  Randolph  St.,  Chicago. 


CHOICE  PLAYS  AND  AMUSEMENT  BOOKS 


Plays  by  T.  S.  DENISON. 

That  the  plays  written  by  T.  S. 
Denison  are,  all  things  considered, 
the  best  for  amateurs,  is  attested  by 
their  very  large  and  increasing  sale. 
New  plays  in  this  type. 

COMEDIES.  m.  F. 

Odds  with  the  Enemy,  4 acts,  1 

hr.  45  min 7 4 

Seth  Greenback,  4 acts,  1 hr. 

15  min 7 3 

The  School  Ma’am,  4 acts,  1 hr. 

45  min 6 5 

Only  Daughter,  3 acts,  lhr.  15m.  5 2 
Louva,  the  Pauper,  5 acts,  2 hrs.  9 4 
Under  the  Laurels,  5 acts,  2 hrs.  5 4 
Danger  Signal,  2 acts,  lhr.  45m.  7 4 
Our  Country,  Historical  Play, 

3 acts,  1 hr 10  5 

Topp’s  Twins,  4 acts,  2 hrs 6 4 

It’s  all  in  Pay  Streak,  3 acts,  1 

hr.  40  min 4 3 

The  New  Woman,  3 acts,  1 hr..  3 b 
FARCES. 

Initiating  a Granger,  25  min. . . 8 0 

Wanted : a Correspondent,  2 acts, 

45  min 4 4 

A Family  Strike,  20  min 3 3 

Two  Ghosts  in  White,  20  min. . 0 8 

The  Assessor,  10  min  — :. 3 2 

Borrowing  Trouble,  20  min... . 3 5 

Country  Justice,  20 min 8 0 

The  Pull-Back,  20  min 0 6 

Hans  von  Smash,  2 acts,  30  min.  4 3 
Irish  Linen  Peddler,  2 acts,  40 

min 3 

Kansas  Immigrants,  20  min  — 5 

Too  Much  of  a Good  Thing,  45 

min 3 

Is  the  Editor  In?  20  min 4 

Pets  of  Society,  20  min 0 

Wide  Enough  for  Two,  45  min.  5 

Patsy  O’ Wang,  35  min  4 

Rejected,  40  min 6 

A First=Class  Hotel,  20  min ....  4 
Madame  Princeton’s  Temple  of 

Beauty,  20  min 0 

Dude  in  Cyclone,  20  min  5 

The  Cobbler,  10  min  ...  .......  1 

A Convention  of  Papas,  25  min.  7 
TEMPERANCE. 

The  Sparkling  Cup.  5 acts,  2 hrs.  12 
Hard  Cider,  10  min 4 

Only  Cold  Tea,  20  min 3 

^FTopp’s  Twins,  and  It’s  All  in 
the  Pay  Streak,  25c  each.  All 
others,  15c  each,  Postpaid. 

OPERETTAS. 

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Elina,  the  Fairy  Child 2oc. 

Eulalia 2oc. 

Let  Love  But  Hold  the  Key ....  25c. 

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